In this episode of Conquering Spanish, host Tania Roman speaks with Joel Dermott, a public health administrator in rural Missouri, about how learning Spanish became a tool for service rather than perfection.

Joel shares how families who arrive at his clinic without English immediately relax when they’re greeted in Spanish, even if the conversation is simple. He explains why technology alone can’t replace human connection, and how returning to Spanish later in life helped him reconnect with values like empathy, dignity, and respect.

This conversation explores learning Spanish as an act of humanity, especially in communities where language barriers can make people feel invisible or unsafe. Joel’s story is a reminder that fluency isn’t required to make a meaningful difference.

🎧 Listen for insight, motivation, and a powerful perspective on why conquering Spanish is really about connection.

🔗 Ready to take your Spanish further?

Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55!

Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55

In this episode of Conquering Spanish, host Tania Román sits down with Chad, a bank executive from Tucson, Arizona, whose mission to connect with friends and clients inspired him to learn Spanish. Chad shares how speaking with Coach Paula since 2021 has transformed his confidence, helping him move from memorizing vocabulary to having real conversations in Spanish.

He talks about practicing Spanish with Uber drivers, using podcasts like NÓtose to pick up natural expressions, and how treating lessons like gym sessions keeps him consistent despite a busy schedule. Chad also opens up about overcoming fear, celebrating small wins, and discovering that fluency is built through everyday interactions.

If you’ve ever felt nervous about starting a conversation in another language, Chad’s story will remind you that progress comes from showing up and speaking—mistakes and all.

🎧 Tune in for practical tips, motivation, and a heartfelt reminder that conquering Spanish isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection.

🔗 Ready to take your Spanish further? 
Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55

Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55

Thinking about learning Spanish as an adult? Trish Cooper, a lawyer from Denver, shares how starting Spanish lessons in midlife has changed her life. 

In this episode of Conquering Spanish, Trish opens up about:

How Spanish has “opened a lot of doors” and made travel “a lot more educational”

Why she says, “Learning a new language in middle age is not easy, but I find that it’s a way for me to exercise my brain in different ways.”

The mindset shift that helped her push past fear: “At some point I just turned a corner... I am comfortable trying it and I'm okay with that if I don't say it correctly.”

How Spanish55’s one-on-one coaching helped her gain confidence faster than apps ever could.

Her go-to way of decompressing after work: watching Spanish-language shows with her husband (favorites include La Casa de Papel and Los Favoritos del Jefe)

If you’ve ever told yourself “it’s too late” or felt stuck with apps, Trish’s story will inspire you to just get started!

Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55

💬 Questions? Chat LIVE with a Spanish55 team member here: https://direct.lc.chat/8778216/

Want to watch this episode on YouTube?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uATTgXDqKjM

In this inspiring episode, Jake returns to share the unfiltered truth about learning Spanish—from his dream of visiting Spain and Colombia to the self-doubt and setbacks along the way. He reflects on what it really takes to make progress, how staying consistent with Coach Fran has changed his mindset, and why fluency is more than just a goal—it’s a lifelong journey. Honest, motivating, and full of heart, this episode is for anyone who’s ever questioned their path but kept showing up anyway.

Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55

💬 Questions? Chat LIVE with a Spanish55 team member here: https://direct.lc.chat/8778216/

🎙 LISTEN TO OUR NEW PODCAST: Conquering Spanish | Interviews with Learners

Wondering what would happen if you decided to hire a Spanish tutor of your own? In each episode, we feature one of our adult learners who made the decision to take the leap and invest in personalized 1:1 Spanish coaching with Spanish55. These students have made incredible progress, and now we celebrate their journey and successes as they share their stories, challenges, and the impact learning Spanish has had on their lives:

▶️ Youtube: • Conquering Spanish | Interviews with ...  
▶️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3KsXoMJ...
▶️ Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/79c...
▶️ Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/es/show/100137...
▶️ Player FM: https://player.fm/series/conquering-s...
▶️ RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2407549.rss

♥️ FOLLOW Spanish55: https://bit.ly/m/spanish55academy

In this episode of Conquering Spanish, we meet Veronica, a dedicated learner from New Jersey, who opens up about her journey with Spanish. From feeling defeated to discovering renewed confidence, Veronica shares how her lessons with Coach Jake felt more like conversations with a friend—and how that connection made all the difference. Tune in for a heartwarming conversation on language, mindset, and reclaiming your voice.

Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55

💬 Questions? Chat LIVE with a Spanish55 team member here: https://direct.lc.chat/8778216/

🎙 LISTEN TO OUR NEW PODCAST: Conquering Spanish | Interviews with Learners

Wondering what would happen if you decided to hire a Spanish tutor of your own? In each episode, we feature one of our adult learners who made the decision to take the leap and invest in personalized 1:1 Spanish coaching with Spanish55. These students have made incredible progress, and now we celebrate their journey and successes as they share their stories, challenges, and the impact learning Spanish has had on their lives:

▶️ Youtube: • Conquering Spanish | Interviews with ...  
▶️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3KsXoMJ...
▶️ Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/79c...
▶️ Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/es/show/100137...
▶️ Player FM: https://player.fm/series/conquering-s...
▶️ RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2407549.rss

♥️ FOLLOW Spanish55: https://bit.ly/m/spanish55academy

After a lifetime helping others as a school director for multilingual programs, Charles Wheaton set out to conquer Spanish for himself. In this heartwarming interview, he shares how learning Spanish brought new purpose to his retirement — and how a recent trip to Mexico showed just how much progress he’s made!

Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55

💬 Questions? Chat LIVE with a Spanish55 team member here: https://direct.lc.chat/8778216/

🎙 LISTEN TO OUR NEW PODCAST: Conquering Spanish | Interviews with Learners

Wondering what would happen if you decided to hire a Spanish tutor of your own? In each episode, we feature one of our adult learners who made the decision to take the leap and invest in personalized 1:1 Spanish coaching with Spanish55. These students have made incredible progress, and now we celebrate their journey and successes as they share their stories, challenges, and the impact learning Spanish has had on their lives:

▶️ Youtube: • Conquering Spanish | Interviews with ...  
▶️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3KsXoMJ...
▶️ Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/79c...
▶️ Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/es/show/100137...
▶️ Player FM: https://player.fm/series/conquering-s...
▶️ RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2407549.rss

♥️ FOLLOW Spanish55: https://bit.ly/m/spanish55academy

Heather’s Spanish learning journey is more than just vocabulary and grammar—it’s about building confidence and meaningful human connection. In this episode, she shares how her one-on-one lessons have made Spanish feel personal, how she’s grown through her coach’s support, and the small wins that keep her going. It’s a beautiful reminder that language learning is not just academic—it’s emotional, empowering, and a lot of fun.

Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55

💬 Questions? Chat LIVE with a Spanish55 team member here: https://direct.lc.chat/8778216/

🎙 LISTEN TO OUR NEW PODCAST: Conquering Spanish | Interviews with Learners

Wondering what would happen if you decided to hire a Spanish tutor of your own? In each episode, we feature one of our adult learners who made the decision to take the leap and invest in personalized 1:1 Spanish coaching with Spanish55. These students have made incredible progress, and now we celebrate their journey and successes as they share their stories, challenges, and the impact learning Spanish has had on their lives:

▶️ Youtube: • Conquering Spanish | Interviews with ...  
▶️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3KsXoMJ...
▶️ Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/79c...
▶️ Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/es/show/100137...
▶️ Player FM: https://player.fm/series/conquering-s...
▶️ RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2407549.rss

♥️ FOLLOW Spanish55: https://bit.ly/m/spanish55academy

In this episode of Conquering Spanish, we sit down with Chris Quintana, a San Francisco native whose journey with Spanish has been one of resilience, purpose, and heart. From giving a best man speech in Spanish to translating at work and practicing with his grandma, Chris shares how he's built confidence step by step — and how Spanish has become a meaningful part of his everyday life. Whether you're just starting out or need a boost of motivation, this conversation is sure to inspire you.

Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55

💬 Questions? Chat LIVE with a Spanish55 team member here: https://direct.lc.chat/8778216/

🎙 LISTEN TO OUR NEW PODCAST: Conquering Spanish | Interviews with Learners

Wondering what would happen if you decided to hire a Spanish tutor of your own? In each episode, we feature one of our adult learners who made the decision to take the leap and invest in personalized 1:1 Spanish coaching with Spanish55. These students have made incredible progress, and now we celebrate their journey and successes as they share their stories, challenges, and the impact learning Spanish has had on their lives:

▶️ Youtube: • Conquering Spanish | Interviews with ...  
▶️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3KsXoMJ...
▶️ Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/79c...
▶️ Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/es/show/100137...
▶️ Player FM: https://player.fm/series/conquering-s...
▶️ RSS: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2407549.rss

♥️ FOLLOW Spanish55: https://bit.ly/m/spanish55academy

Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring story of Victoria Marshall — a third-grade teacher, passionate swimmer, and lifelong learner. Born in Chile and raised in Philadelphia, Victoria’s journey with Spanish is one of rediscovering her roots, building deeper connections with her students and community, and embracing the language as a bridge to her birth culture and family. From classroom parent-teacher conferences to heartfelt conversations with relatives in Chile, Victoria’s story is a testament to the power of persistence, curiosity, and heart. 💬🌎🏊‍♀️

Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55


💬 Questions? Chat LIVE with a Spanish55 team member here: https://direct.lc.chat/8778216/

♥️ FOLLOW Spanish55: https://bit.ly/m/spanish55academy

Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55

In this episode of Conquering Spanish, we sit down with Ryan McNichol, a dedicated Spanish learner who embarked on this journey to reconnect with his Mexican heritage and challenge himself in new ways. From overcoming self-doubt to immersing himself in the language through baseball and daily life, Ryan shares valuable insights on mindset, persistence, and embracing the learning process. His story is a testament to the transformative power of language learning—not just in communication, but in personal growth. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how pushing past fear can lead to unexpected rewards.

Schedule a Free Trial Lesson with Spanish55

💬 Questions? Chat LIVE with a Spanish55 team member here: https://direct.lc.chat/8778216/

♥️ FOLLOW Spanish55: https://bit.ly/m/spanish55academy